Chester, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chester, Virginia is 23,519 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 50th-largest city in Virginia. The median household income is $88,455, the median home value is $290,600, and the median age is 41.2.
23,519
Population
1787
People / sq mi
$88,455
Median Income
$290,600
Median Home Value
Get Chester's next ACS population data
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Chester covers 13.2 sq mi of land at 1787 people per square mile.
About Chester, VA
Chester skews on age — the median resident is 41.2, older than the national median. With 23,519 residents, Chester is a city in Virginia. It ranks #50 among cities in Virginia by population.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $88,455 — above the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 6.9%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $290,600, with typical rent around $1,463.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US cities: 32.6% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. A solid 16.1% of workers are based at home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Chester — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 56.2% |
| Black or African American | 28.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$88,455
Median Household Income
$39,983
Per Capita Income
6.9%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$290,600
Median Home Value
$1,463
Median Rent
72.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
92.8%
High School+
32.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.8%
Drive Alone
73.3%
Public Transit
16.1%
Work From Home
28.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
34.8%
Foreign Born
90.6%
Non-English at Home
10.3%
Veterans
11.0%
With Disability
94.8%
Health Insurance
96.2%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.4% |
| Public Administration | 10.2% |
| Information | 9.0% |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% |
| Construction | 8.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.7% |
| Retail Trade | 6.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
Largest cities in Virginia
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Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chester, Virginia has a population of 23,519 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 50th-largest city in Virginia.
The median household income in Chester, Virginia is $88,455, with 6.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chester, Virginia is $290,600, with median monthly rent at $1,463 and a homeownership rate of 72.9%.
The median age in Chester, Virginia is 41.2 years. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
Where to stay in Chester
Visiting or relocating to Chester, VA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Full rankings of Virginia cities by population
Statewide data for Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.